Connect With the Homeless is being led by Carrickfergus community group, Carrick Connect in partnership with Belfast Homeless Services, and has been running since last winter. The year-long programme involves five groups of seven people participating in weekly workshops, involving visiting and helping out at Belfast Homeless Services’ (BHS) drop-in facility, as well as learning about homelessness from Liz Rocks, the service co-ordinator. “The project has been a great success in terms of raising awareness of not only homelessness but of addiction and other issues that can relate to being homeless,” says Tracey McNickie, project co-ordinator.
“Participants all have a better understanding and are more knowledgeable about the roles that homeless services offer and the difficulties and challenges they face. All in all, it is more than I could have hoped for.” The project is being funded by the Department for Communities and the NI Housing Executive as part of a Good Relations plan for Clanmil’s new Housing For All shared housing development on Belfast Road, Carrickfergus where construction is nearing completion on 48 high quality apartments for people aged 55 and over.
Tracey has described the initiative as both educational and enlightening. “To enlighten means to give someone a greater knowledge and understanding about a subject or situation. I feel this project is a real learning curve in so many ways,” she explains.
“We need to know more, we need to learn more.
